Share
This morning we received confirmation that there will once again be no profit-share payout. It’s disappointing but at this point, not surprising. We are reminded over and over again by the company that profit-share is part of our total compensation, yet somehow, we are left empty-handed while still being told to accept it as part of our pay structure. We cannot continue pretending that an unreliable bonus is meaningful compensation.
Since WestJet was purchased by Onex in 2019, the pattern has been clear. Cost-cutting at every turn, and cuts that hurt the workers who keep this airline running. While frontline employees struggle to make ends meet, many juggling two or three jobs just to stay afloat, it is more than likely that executives continue receiving their annual bonuses, wage increases, and incentive payouts without interruption. The rich continue to get richer while the people performing the skilled, hands on labour that upholds this airline are left behind.
The company claims declining U.S. travel demand as the reason for reduced revenue but they conveniently leave out the success of expanded East Coast flying to European destinations. They highlight what serves their narrative and hide what doesn’t. We hear the same lines from leadership every year: “This isn’t a reflection of your hard work" and “We must remain focused on cost-cutting.” We've had enough and we are over it.
In his communication this morning, Alexis stated that it’s critical to our success that we have a shared understanding of our business. But how can we share in this understanding when the company continually dumps task after task after task onto frontline workers, expecting us to work harder, faster, and with increased responsibility but without any corresponding recognition in compensation? A “shared understanding” requires transparency, honesty and recognition. What we see is an operation built on workers who are overextended, underpaid, and exhausted.
Alexis also blamed lack of profit-share on the Sunwing integration including the extensive crew training required and aircraft downtime. But these were known, predictable risks of acquiring another airline. Any responsible corporate entity would have planned for them. Instead, they are used as excuses to justify why workers must absorb the results. They knew about this long ago but choose to communicate with their employees mere days before we were to receive profit share. Just another reason for us not to trust the people who run this airline.
Capitalism doing exactly what capitalism is designed to do. Protecting profits at the top while squeezing those at the bottom. And under Onex ownership, that squeeze has intensified.
We Deserve Better Than This
We are among the lowest-paid employees in the company, despite the massive responsibilities placed on us. And we live and work in some of the most expensive cities in Canada.
The 2025 living wage rates in the cities where our members live are:
Vancouver: $27.85/hr
Calgary: $26.50/hr
Toronto/GTA: $27.20/hr
In January 2026, a member working in the Guest Service Band after completing 8 years of service will finally make $27.85, the living wage for Vancouver. There are only 361 out of our 1711 members who are or will be making that wage by the end of 2026 when we enter bargaining. That is not sustainable. That is not respect. And that is not “total compensation” no matter how many times the company claims flight benefits, OPA and profit share make up the difference.
Looking Ahead - Bargaining 2026
Profit-share is unreliable. Flight benefits and the Owners Performance Award aren’t real compensation. In 2026, we go back to the bargaining table for the second time and we are not going there quietly. This time next year, we will be well into our second round of bargaining and we will be fighting. The bargaining committee will have to fight for a true living-wage compensation, respect for frontline expertise, recognition of our growing workload, and real wage progression that rewards loyalty and skill. Our members deserve pay that reflects the value they create. The company may try to sell us the narrative of shared sacrifice, but the reality is clear, our members have sacrificed enough.
In the words of our fearless National Union President, Lana Payne - LFG!
In Solidarity,
Your Local Union Executive Board